Verizon, AT&T to sell the iPad on March 16

The two largest cell phone companies in the United States today announced they’ll be offering the new iPad on March 16. Both wireless providers plan to offer their own Wi-Fi + 4G models of the third-generation iPad across all sales channels. Subscribers can expect the 16GB entry-level model to set you back around $630 on Verizon and AT&T. Ultimately, the best data rate plan will be the deciding factor about what carrier has the “edge”.

AT&T offers the following tiered data plans: 250 MB for $14.99 per month, 3 GB for $30 per month, and 5 GB for $50 per month. And here are Verizon’s data plans for the new iPad: 1 GB for $20 per month, 2 GB for $30 per month, and 5 GB for $50 per month.

If you look at both companies $30 tiered data plan, it suggest that AT&T has the better deal. You get a whole extra gigabyte for the same price, but you have to take into account that the death star’s LTE network isn’t available in nearly as many cities as Big Red’s LTE network. Truthfully, if you plan on spending your hard-earned 30 bucks, then you’re better off opting for the extra gigabyte of data from AT&T. Plus, if you’re not in an area with AT&T LTE, you may be able to get access to the carrier’s HSPA+ network instead — it’s not as good as LTE, but it’s still way better than 3G.

That being said, Verizon’s new iPad may have the advantage because it’s the only one out of the two that allows you to use your iPad as a Wi-Fi hotspot. AT&T won’t give that option at launch, but it may do it sometime down the road. Why would you want to turn your tablet into a hotspot and not your phone is anyones guess, though.